USDA Forest ServiceNortheastern Area, State and Private Forestry Urban and Community Fore stry...

USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private ForestryUSDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry

Urban and Community Forestry Putting Down Roots in Your Community

John Parry, US Forest Service, NA State and Private Forestry, Durham, NH


Overview

• What and Where are Urban Forests

• Benefits Provided by Urban Forests

• Management Activities to Consider– Tree Evaluation and Inventory– Planning for Storms– Role of Volunteers, and Other Partners

• Tree Evaluation Field Exercises


Presentation Outline

• USFS Intro• UCF Program• Emerging Issues

– Projects– Funding Sources?– New Tools

• Resources

Think Big for the Future of Urban Forestry


Managing trees Managing trees and and forest resources inforest resources in

and around and around urban urban communities communities for thefor the

environmental, social, environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic economic, and aesthetic benefitsbenefits that trees that trees provide society"provide society"

URBAN FORESTRY?


Percent Urban (2000)

• Over 70% of Our Population Lives in Urban Areas

• The Average Community has 27% of It’s Land Area Covered With Tree Canopy


NA Urban and Community Forestry Program


Benefits• Air quality improvement• Water quality improvement• Cooler air temperature• Building energy

conservation• Greenhouse gas reduction• Aesthetics• Noise reduction• Wildlife habitat• Social / physiological

benefits• Human health


Trees in Neighborhoods are Vital to Community Health

• Tree-filled neighborhoods:• Lower levels of domestic violence • Are safer and more sociable• Tree-filled landscapes reduce stress• Trees decrease need for meds & speed recovery times


• Temperature reduction

• Removal of air pollutants & Emission of volatile organic compunds

• Energy effects on buildings (shade)

• 100 trees remove 53 tons of CO2/year

• 100 trees remove 430 lbs of pollutants per year, including:72 lbs of ozone, 81 lbs particulates

AIR QUALITY


Trees Help Manage Storm WaterImprove Water Quality

• 100 mature trees catch about 539,000 gallons of rainwater per year...

- Less $ for stormwater control- Cleaner water


Trees Save Energy for Home OwnersImpact Climate Change

– Save 56% of annual air conditioning costs– Save up to 25% of winter heating costs


Trees Increase Property ValuesHouses Sell At Higher Prices

• Each large front yard tree adds about 1% to sales price

• Large trees can add 10%, or more, to property values


Trees Mean Better Business

In tree-lined commercial districts...• More frequent shopping• Longer shopping trips• Shoppers spend more for parking• Shoppers spend 12% more for goods


Costs of the Urban Forest

• Planting• Maintenance And Removal• Pruning• Irrigation• Insect and Disease Control • Removal Of Tree Residue • Fire Protection• Infrastructure Repair• Litigation and Liability• Storm Damage • Program Administration• Health Concerns (Allergies)


Trees Pay Us Back

Benefits = $379,000Energy

Air Quality

Runoff

Real Estate

100 Trees Over 40 Years...

Costs = $148,000Planting - Pruning

Removal/Disposal

Irrigation

Sidewalk Repair

Litter

Legal - Admin

Pay Off: $231,000


Threats to the Urban Forest

• Land Use Change• Construction Damage

• Invasives Species• Natural Disasters• Poor Planning

• Limited Places for Trees

• Lack of Tree Care• Improper Planting/pruning

• Human Activities• Pollution• Wounding/Vandalism






UCF Program Local, State & Federal Partners

Increase The Quantity and Quality of Urban Tree Canopy In Urban Areas

Protect Existing Tree Cover

Increased Tree Planting

Improved Tree Care

U.S. Forest Service - $26 Million Nationally

States provide technical, financial, educational, and research assistance

Local partners develop sustainable UCF Programs in each city and town


Sustainable Community Forest Management Programs

• Public Awareness & Education• Support Volunteer Groups/Advocacy• Tree Committee Or Board• Tree Inventory - Management Plan• Tree Ordinance Or Policy• Well Trained Professional Staffing• Fund Programs For Tree Planting,

Protection and Care• Establish Canopy Cover Goals• Good Planning Process – Include

Trees


Storm Planning and ResponseStorm Planning and Responsefor the Urban Forestfor the Urban Forest


Storm Damage


Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet

• 1. Early Warning System/Weather Forecasting • 2. Local Emergency • 3. Public Relations • 4. Disaster Planning And Response Team Members• 5. Available Disaster Response Staff And Crews• 6. Emergency Call Out • 7. Primary Transportation, Evacuation Corridors • 8. Critical Areas – Power Corridor Restoration & Medical Centers• 9. Identify Who Is Responsible For Decision Making And Prioritizing • 10. Tree Damage Clean-up • 11. Procedure For Debris Staging And Removal • 12. Debris And Brush Removal From Private Property • 13. Identify Wood Utilization Options • 14. Equipment Listing (Available In-house)• 15. Additional Equipment And Assistance Sources • 16. Staff, Crew Organization And Equipment Needs • 17. Individual's) Responsible For Record Keeping • 18. Individuals Responsible For Damage Assessment And Reports • 19. Disaster Budget • 20. Funding Information From Past Storms• 21. Individual's) Or Organizations Responsible For Regreening • 22. Community Urban Forestry Comprehensive Management Plan • 23. Community Tree Risk Management Plan • 24. Storm Damage Assessment


The 4 Phases of Emergency Management

Response

Planning

Recovery

Mitigation


1. Mitigation

Activities Taken To

Minimize The Impact Of Future Storm Events


Good Urban Forestry Management Program

• Public Awareness & Education• Tree Inventory – Tree Management Plan• Tree Ordinance Or Policy• Well Trained Professional Staffing• Establish Canopy Cover Goals• Good Planning Process – Include Trees• Proper Tree Planting,

Protection and Care


Risk Tree AssessmentsMany trees have pre-existing defects

which help to predict failure


• Match Species to Site• Use Quality Stock• Plant Correctly

Good Planting


Poor Limb Attachment

Good Tree Care


2.Planning

• Preparing To Handle An Emergency

• Takes Place BEFORE An Emergency Occurs


Storm Response Plan for Trees

• People– Who will do what?

• Priorities– Areas most at risk

• Debris Handling– Establish sites and routes

• Equipment– In house & contractual

• Record Keeping• Policy/Legal Issues• Restoration


3. Response

• Actions Taken Immediately During A Storm


Response• Activate Emergency Tree Service

Contracts

• Work With Utility Contacts

• Clear And Move Tree Debris From Priority Traffic Lanes Walkways

• Set Up Staging Areas For Debris

• Do Immediate Tree Hazard Assessments

• Communication (Internal/External)– Set Up Communications with Staff– Work With Media To Deliver

Important Messages To Public

• Document And Photograph Tree Damage And Response Work


4. Recovery

• Actions Taken To Return To Normal Or An Even Safer/Better Condition AFTER An Emergency


Recovery• Do Tree Damage Evaluations

– Assess Trees For Hazards– Remedial Tree Pruning And

Other Maintenance

• Clean-up Debris Sites

• Update Tree Inventory

• Tree Planting

• Fund Raising For Tree Program

• Review Existing Policies And Plans

• Communications/ Education On Proper Pruning Or Tree Planting Event

• Continue To Keep Records For Financial Assistance


Storm Damage Assessment Strike Teams• New Initiative Similar To Fire

• Recruit And Train Professionals

• Deploy Crews To Disasters

• Crews Do Public Tree Assessments;

– Hazard Tree Removals & Pruning

– Estimate Debris Volume

– Other Remedial Tree Work Needed

– Provide Report That Documents Tree Work Needed & Cost


The Bottom Line...

• Quality of life is improved by tree benefits• Benefits depend on healthy urban forests• Healthy urban forests require quality care• Quality care depends on people and

communities taking action


For More Information

www.na.fs.fed.us/urbanwww.na.fs.fed.us/urban


For More InformationA.J. Dupere

NH Division of Forests & Lands

Urban Forestry Center

Portsmouth, NH

603-431-6774

[email protected]

Mary Tebo Davis

University of New Hampshire

Cooperative Extension Service

Manchester, NH

603-629-9494 x 140

[email protected]

John ParryU.S. Forest ServiceState and Private [email protected]

WWW.NA.FS.FED.US/URBAN


Sustainable Community Tree Programs

• Public Awareness• Support Advocacy Organizations,

Tree Committees Or Boards• Tree Inventory/Assessment• Management Plan• Establish Canopy Cover Goals• Tree Ordinance Or Policy• Well Trained Professional Staff• Fund Programs For Tree Planting• Protection And Maintenance


Restoration after ALB and Storms


Urban Forest Assessment Tools

www.itreetools.org


Poor Tree Care


Poor Planning – Limited Space for TreesWrong Tree Wrong Space



Storm Damage


Invasives

• Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Worcester, MA, Ohio

• Over 30,000 Trees Removed - MA


Increase The Quantity and Quality of Urban Tree Canopy In Urban Areas

Protect Existing Tree Cover

Increase Tree Planting

Improve Tree Care

Date post:	01-Apr-2015
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